Thursday, December 31, 2015

"Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over times gone by. I am doing something new. It’s springing up — can’t you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:16-19).

God doesn't lie. It's a new year. So why not take a chance and believe in Him? Just this once. You can do it. You can trust. You can change ... through Him. Just bow your head and pray to Him. Look into the beautiful night sky, and ask Him for what you want and need. That's all we need to do. Ask! He makes desert wasteland into rivers. Awesome, huh? He changes lives. Try to have Him change your life, if you need to change. Pray! Yes, you can. Believe. Trust. Then wait ... see what happens. You will be amazed. Just try ... once.

Monday, December 28, 2015

This artificial tree has been keeping us Christmas happy for three years. The question is: real tree, or artificial tree? There are positive and negative aspects about both types of trees, right?

Thank goodness God is the real thing! He never changes on us. He's always available for us. And when we believe we've strayed too far from Him for Him to love us anymore ... He's been beside us all along. Our personal beliefs don't always reflect reality, wouldn't you agree?

"Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest," God tells us (Matthew 11:28).

Have you noticed, driving anywhere during the holidays takes twice the time.

And I forgot to mail the Christmas cards!

Oh my, the line at the post office stretches out the door.

At home ... I unwrap the roaster ...

I need to cook two hams.

Oh-no!

The roaster I just bought is cracked at the bottom!

Darn, darn and darn it.

I gotta take it back to Macy's.

Here I go ... back to the [bleeping] store!

Standing in loooong return lines is rain pummeling.

Then the race begins to other shops ...

Gift card, or present?

What should I buy for her? For him?

I think I want to quit ... Christmas;

Until I suddenly stop,

At the center of the bustling Food Court.

Have you ever just watched people?

We get so busy, so occupied, with fleeting time that's never enough.

Hearing an accordion band playing Silent Night,

I'm teary eyed.

Until I spot the Christmas tree,

Brightly lit, with sparkling ornaments of every shimmering dazzling color,

And Santa handing candy canes to eager happy children.

I plop down in an empty seat,

And recall what Christmas is all about....

The holidays can be pressure filled, but God can be our comfort. He gives us the white snow-set ground and icicle frosted trees to relieve the stress of the day. We only need to sit, watch, and listen to His still voice of peace and love in this holiday season.

"You will go before the Lord to prepare his way by spreading the knowledge among his people that deliverance comes by having sins forgiven through our God’s most tender mercy, which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven" (Luke 1:76-78).

Monday, December 7, 2015

There's nothing like being in the principal's office, as I had to experience with my son today. I couldn't crawl under the table. Couldn't excuse his bad behavior. Couldn't run out the door. I could only cry ... and inside keep saying, God help me; help my son; help us overcome this bad situation. Have you ever broke down in front of everyone? Important people? People with degrees, people in power, people who can decide your fate? After a point in the principal's office, I just cried. Me! I cried. I've got a B.A. degree, a teaching credential, and two master's degrees. They weren't any help because my son is the one in the hot seat. So many times, as the teachers displayed the evidence against my son and his inappropriate internet searches, I felt numb ... and melting. I thought of a Bible vers, and clung onto the verse that kept repeating in my mind:

"The one who believes in me will live, even though they die," Jesus said (John 11:25).

Time has a way of settling things down, my inner voice said. I could then wipe away my tears. Time has a way of restoring good and building trust again.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

It's no fun being sick, right?

This past week, I've felt as if I've been stuck under a pile of tires. Yes, Kleenex was my best friend. I couldn't hardly do a thing, except sit, take meds, sleep and watch TV. Believe me, all that gets boring ... fast. So, when I finally opened my Bible, I found the perfect spot. The verse has helped me get back on my feet, get stronger, and feel better. And guess what? My dog, Sparkle, who I believed was going to die after her stroke, is so much better. Thank ya, God!

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15).

He's our Shepherd. One day, we'll be with Him forever. Isn't that comforting to know, even in our illnesses, disappointments, struggles, and tough relationships? He's with us and knows us. Wow! A divine God who cares about you, loves you, and knows you personally. It's just that simple.